Local Gem Shows...This Weekend!

24-26--JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Show; Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society; Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society; Morocco Temple, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S; Fri. 1-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; displays; contact Tom Frame, 3133 Chapelwood Ln., Jacksonville, FL 32216, (940) 737-9867; e-mail: Jgms_show@hotmail.com

24-26--JOPLIN, MISSOURI: 12th annual show, "Rock-a-thon"; TriState Gem & Mineral Society; Joplin Museum Complex, 504 Schifferdecker Ave.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-6; free admission; demonstrations, door prizes, dealers; contact Chris Wiseman, P.O. Box 555, Joplin, MO 64802; e-mail: jmc-cwiseman@sbcglobal.net

24-26--SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA: Show, "OBMS Tail Gate Gem & Mineral Show"; Orange Belt Mineralogical Society; Western Regional Little League Ball Park, 6707 Little League Dr.; Fri. 9-dusk, Sat. 9-dusk, Sun. 9-dusk; free admission; rocks, jewelry, tools, lapidary display, education, kids' event, kids' club, silent auction, raffle, workshop; contact Shane Ripley, 205 W. Benedict #8, San Bernardino, CA 92408, (909) 557-3605; e-mail: OBMS_PR@yahoo.com; Web site: http://obmsrocks.yolasite.com

25-26--FRANKLIN, NEW JERSEY: 54th annual show; Franklin Mineral Museum; Franklin School, Washington Ave.; contact Lee Lowell, (973) 827-6671

25-26--MISSOULA, MONTANA: Show, "Big Sky Rocks"; Hellgate Mineral Society; Ruby's Reserve Street Inn, 4825 N. Reserve St.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; contact Bob Riggs, 14 Holiday Ln., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 543-3667

25-26--MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA: 51st show; Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Club; Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $3.50, senior $2.50, children free with adult; exhibits, kids' stuff, grab bags, door prizes, wheel of fortune, demonstrations (fossil impressions, sphere making, silver jewelry making, grinding and polishing gemstones); contact Janis Rovetti, 1047 Roosevelt St., Monterey, CA 93940, (831) 657-1933; e-mail: janis12@sbcglobal.net; Web site: www.cvgms.org

25-26--OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN: 39th annual show; Oshkosh Earth Science Club; Sunnyview Expo Center, 500 E. County Rd. Y; Winnebago County Fair Grounds; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; adults $2, students with ID $1, children under 12 free; rocks, minerals, fossils, lapidary arts, jewelry, more than 80 vendors, private collections, Weis Earth Science Museum exhibits, kids' rock polishing and painting, take-home specimen kits, grab bags; contact Bob Fox, (920) 235-4669; e-mail: oesc-webmaster@hotmail.com; Web site: www.oesclub.com

25-26---SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NEBRASKA: 45th annual show; Siouxland Gem & Mineral Society; South Sioux City Senior Center, 1501 W. 29th St.; Sat. 9-6, Sun.10-4; adults $1.50, students (12 and older) 50 cents, children under 12 free; exhibits, four dealers, agates, rough and polished specimens, gems, beads, geodes, minerals, superb faceted jewelry, fossils, door prizes, spin the wheel, silent auction, displays, Siouxland dinosaur hunters' exhibits; contact Bob Powell, (712) 378-2775

25-26--TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: Annual show; Grand Traverse Area Rock & Mineral Club; Grand Traverse Heritage Center, 322 Sixth St.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-4; adults $2, children free with adult; dealers, rocks, gems, minerals, jewelry, demonstrations, jewelry making, rock cutting and polishing, kids' area; contact Cynthia Vaughn, (231) 276-6150; e-mail: Maple2b@aol.com

CFMS Fieldtrip: Cady Mountains

WHERE: Cady Mountains

WHEN: October 9, 2010 @ 7:30am sign in - depart 8:00am

MEET: Dairy Queen in Ludlow (North side of I-40) east of Barstow

MATERIAL: Christmas Tree Agate

WHAT TO BRING:

collecting bags/buckets, rock hammer, spray bottles, digging tools, gloves, goggles

This is the heart of California's Mojave Desert and weather can be unpredictable this time of year so dress accordingly. We will be collecting Christmas Tree Agate.

From the meeting spot we will caravan north to the collecting location (4X4) is highly recommended. No sedans.

Bring lunch. This widespread field offers no shade. Gas and food available in Ludlow.

Waiver of Liability will be signed at the meeting spot.

Other materials at this site include agates and jaspers with sections of multi-shaded pink opal and other agates similar to Mexican Lace.

Stayovers may camp at a number of undeveloped sites or the hotel in Ludlow. Treat the desert with respect - tread lightly and pack it in/pack it out.

For further information please contact:

Adam Dean @ 909-489-4899 or email: theagatehunter@ verizon.net

Photo from: http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/ojhoff/moreslabs.html

Find Your Local Gem Show!

10-12--FERNDALE, CALIFORNIA: 6th annual show, "Wildcat Gem Fest"; Wildcat Gem & Mineral Society; Humboldt Co. Fairgrounds, 1250 5th St.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; free admission; door prizes, raffles, kids' games, demonstrations, classes, gems, minerals, fossils, jewelry, silent auction; contact Mike Martin/The Stonery, P.O. Box 189, Miranda, CA 95553, (707) 499-6194; e-mail: micknorma@directv.net

10-12--GREENFIELD, INDIANA: 34th annual show, "Greater Indianapolis Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show"; 500 Earth Sciences Club of Indianapolis; Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds, 802 Apple St.; Fri. 10-8, Sat. 9-7, Sun. 10-4; free admission; dealers, swappers, fossils, minerals, gems, jewelry, lapidary equipment, silent auctions, door prizes, kids' activities, demonstrations, educational displays and programs, special fossil exhibit by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis; contact Don Mahoney, 17914 Juniper Rd., Argos, IN 46501, (574) 892-5264; e-mail: DLMCNACLU@aol.com; Web site: www.geology.iupui.edu/Outreach/500_earth_sciences/index.htm

10-12--TOLEDO, OHIO: 39th annual show and sale; Toledo Gem & Rockhound Club; Stranahan Complex, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.; Fri. 2-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; adults $4, seniors and students $3, children under 12 free; free kids' mineral kits and games, exhibits, demonstrations, mini classes, Touch & Feel Area, scholarship raffle, silent auction, club sales, more than 20 dealers, beads, jewelry, gems, precious metals, fossils, minerals, carvings, gem trees, tools, equipment; contact Jerri Heer, 247 Decatur, Toledo, OH 43609, (419) 531-8124; e-mail: jheerx6@aol.com; Web site: www.rockyreader.com

10-12--WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA: 39th annual show; Forsyth Gem & Mineral Club; Educational Bldg., Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, Gate #9; Fri. 10-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 12-5; contact W.A. Marion, 1163 Bear Creek Church Rd., Mocksville, NC 27028; e-mail: MarionA1@yadtel.net

11-12--DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA: Show; Delvers Gem & Mineral Society; Woman's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4; free admission; contact Fred Dexling, (562) 425-0192; e-mail: mdexling@verizon.net

11-12--FAIRFIELD, IOWA: Show; The Sac & Fox Lapidary Club; The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, Main & Briggs; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $3, students $1, children under 6 free; children's activities, demonstrations; contact Betty Morris, 618 N. Lincoln St., Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641; e-mail: emorris@lisco.com; Web site: sacandfoxlapidaryclub.com

11-12--POWNAL, VERMONT: 47th annual show; Northern Berkshire Mineral Club; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; American Legion Post #90, Rte. 7, one mile north of the old Green Mountain Race Track; adults $4, children 15 and under free with adult; minerals, gems, jewelry, gifts, children's fish pond, prizes; contact Larry Michon, P.O. Box 297, North Adams, MA 01247, or (413) 663-8430

11-12--RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA: 50th annual show, "Gold 'N' Opportunities"; Richmond Gem & Mineral Club; Richmond Arts & Cultural Center; 7700 Minoru Gate; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; dealers, club boutique table, member show cases, kids' corner; contact Livia Waterson, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC V6Y 1R9

11-12--ROSEBURG, OREGON: Show, "Rough to Gems"; Umpqua Gem & Mineral Club; Douglas County Fairgrounds, I-5 Exit 123; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4:30; free admission; dealers, rough, gems, minerals, fossils, beads, jewelry, tools, equipment, books, display cases, demonstrators, knapping, UV mineral exhibit, silent auction, wheel of fortune, geode cutting, raffle, door prizes, gold panning, kids' rock hunt; contact Bob Sampson, 752 Cooper Creek Rd., Sutherlin, OR 97479, (541) 459-1755; e-mail: davenmow@q.com

11-12--SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS: Annual fall swap; Northwest Arkansas Gem & Mineral Society; clubhouse, Hwy. 43N; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; free admission; auction, kids' gem wash, silent auctions, grab bags; contact Dave Leininger, (479) 787-5619; e-mail: hulagrub@aol.com; Web site: www.nwarockhounds.org

11-12--WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON: Show, "Walla Walla Gem & Mineral Show"; Marcus Whitman Gem & Mineral Society; Walla Walla County Fair Ground, Community Center, 9th St. and Orchard; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; dealers, opal, petrified wood, jasper, agate, sunstone, wire wrapping, faceted gems, slabs, rough, jewelry, silent auction, demonstrations, kids' section; contact Warren Rood, (509) 522-2330; e-mail: warrenrood@yahoo.com

SOURCES

Show Listings: Rock & Gem Magazine

Photo: Robyn Hawk of Tom Wolfe Minerals

California State Rock Reprieved!

The announcement from Fred Ott, Pres. of the CFMS on their Yahoo Group was exciting news!

He thanked everyone for their efforts in defeating Senate Bill 624 which would have removed Serpentine as the California State Rock.

So at the time of this posting it looks like the bill has died in committee!

There are lots of people rejoicing:

Andrew Alden on his Geology Blog at About.com exclaims: Ding Dong SB624 is Dead

...and from Garry Hayes over on the Facebook Group "California Serpentine Awareness! Keep our Rock! Fight SB 624"

"Thanks for all who helped educate the legislature about serpentine with your letters and calls! The bill died in committee, as it should have. It was unfortunate that this battle ever had to take place, when a few well-placed inquiries could have headed it off. Please stick with this Facebook page in case the issue ever arises again!"

Photo credit: Andrew's Photo Gallery of Metamorphic Rock